Nadegen is 15 years old and comes from a small village on the countryside, near Kpalimé. She can’t afford to continue going to school, because her father died six years ago and her mother is unemployed. Now, Nadegen hopes to become a professional tailor, just like her aunt.

“Je veux faire la formation en couture, parce que je n’ai pas la possibilité de fréquenter l’école.“
(I want to take up the apprenticeship in tailoring, because I don’t have the possibility to go to school.)

Meet 14-year-old Elise from Aktakpamé. Her father, a farmer, can’t afford to take care of her any longer. Despite Elise’s reluctance he’d already arranged a marriage between her and a much older man. Now, she won’t be forced to marry after all and has a chance to take her life into her own hands.

Adjou is 20 years old and lives in Kpalimé. Unfortunately, she didn’t have the chance to finish school, because both of her parents are out of work and couldn’t afford to pay for her and her 5 siblings. Adjou’s greatest treasure is her 2-year-old daughter.

„J’ai choisi de faire la formation à
Kpalimé pour mieux apprendre comment mener une petite entreprise de textiles – dans le futur je veux bien avoir ma propre entreprise!“ (I have decided to do the apprenticeship in Kpalimé to learn how to run a small textile business – in the future I would like to have my own company.)